I have received a letter from the Post Office to advise me that they are proposing to move the Post Office on Green Lane to a new location on Cookridge Lane, to be housed within the convenience store “Cookridge News”.

The information I have been given is as follows:

“We are proposing, with the Postmaster’s agreement, to move the above Post Office branch to a new location – Cookridge News, 17-19 Cookridge Lane. If the move goes ahead it will change to one of our new local style branches. This change is part of a major programme of modernisation and investment taking place across the Post Office network.”

They go on to outline what the changes will be – longer opening hours; two tills to be served from; majority of products and services still to be available.

The consultation period has started and this will run until 2nd February 2015. Before this date they would like residents to give their comments on the proposals for the new location, in particular:

1. How suitable do you think the new location and premises are and how easy is it to get there?
2. Are the new premises easy for you to get to and is the inside easily accessible?
3. Do you have any concerns about the new location?
4. If so, do you have any suggestions that could help us make it better for you?
5. Any local community issues which you think could be affected by the proposed move.
6. Anything you particularly like about the proposed change.

If you would like to make any comments these can be sent in writing or by email. They advise that these will not be kept confidential unless they are marked “In Confidence”. Any information received will be considered in the finalisation of the plans.

For the letter option that is all you need to put on the envelope, no other address details are required. Freepost letters take 2 days to arrive so should be sent in time to meet the deadline as comments received after 2nd February will not be considered.

You can share your views on the proposed move through the Post Office Online Questionnaire via the link below. When entering the site you will be asked to enter the code for this branch: 19832399

Just to clarify the Post Office has advised they have extended the consultation to allow for 10 calendar days to allow for the holiday period over Christmas.

Posters and leaflets will now be displayed in branch, to let customers know about the changes and to ask their views.

Some differences between the existing location and the new location will be the hours of operation. See table below.

Address

Green Lane (Current)

Cookridge Lane (Proposed)

Monday

9am to 1pm 2pm to 5.30pm

8am to 7pm

Tuesday

9am to 1pm

8am to 7pm

Wednesday

9am to 1pm 2pm to 5.30pm

8am to 7pm

Thursday

9am to 1pm 2pm to 5.30pm

8am to 7pm

Friday

9am to 1pm 2pm to 5.30pm

8am to 7pm

Saturday

9am to 12.30pm

8am to 7pm

Sunday

Closed

8am to 7pm

They go on to say that work will be required to the new proposed location to make it accessible to wheelchair users, also a hearing loop will need to be installed. They also say that parking is difficult at the current location but there is a dedicated off road parking bay outside the proposed location. In the consultation letter they have sent me it does not mention that there is a bus stop immediately outside the existing location going in the direction of Holt Park and nearby outside Tesco Express if coming from Holt Park but they do mention that the new location has a stop 50 metres away.

If the proposal goes ahead following the consultation they will look to change the location in April/May 2015.

There are 5 services that the new location won’t provide that the existing location does – Parcelforce worldwide parcel service, Transcash (without barcode), NS & I Premium Bonds, On Demand Travel Insurance and Payments by cheque. There are 2 services that the current branch doesn’t provide that the new proposed location will – Travel Insurance Referrals, National Lottery terminal. They advise that any services that are lacking at the new location are available at Ireland Wood Post Office.

The Sub Postmaster at Cookridge has asked me to include this note – “To our customers:

We would like to re-assure you that the move from Green Lane is in no way being forced upon us. We (the current officers at Cookridge Village Post Office) are fully behind the move as it is the best way to modernise and enhance the availability of Post Office services within Cookridge, and maybe more importantly secure the future of a Post Office in the locality.”

We understand that the Post Office services will be offered within a new extended and modernised environment at Cookridge News. We for our part will provide all the help we can to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible and results in an improved facility for the residents of Cookridge.”

I would be interested to know what you think about this proposal and I would find it very useful if you could let me have your views and if you would like to send me a copy of any comments you make this would be very useful in helping me to represent your views clearly and concisely.